Indiana's worst drought in decades is drying up ponds, creeks and springs, leaving some livestock farmers scrambling to find other sources of water for their animals.

Although Indiana's drought conditions have lessened in the past week, one-third of the state remains in at least an extreme drought.

That includes much of southern Indiana, where Monroe County cattle farmer Keith Weathers says a spring he usually taps for water for his 70 thirsty cows has run dry. Weathers now has to pay in nearby Ellettsville to fill up a 400-gallon tank twice a day with water for his livestock.

Ellettsville Water Superintendent Michael Farmer tells The Herald-Times (http://bit.ly/Pcw5lh ) the drought has sent more customers like Weathers to the town's coin-activated Automatic Water Salesman as ponds and creeks dry up.

The mortgage crisis and economic upheaval have made it harder for individuals and small businesses to secure loans. Now there is an effort in Illinois to help ensure that farmers affected by the drought can get one.